City of Bondurant Adopts Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan to Transform Core Area
Bondurant, Iowa – Can you imagine sipping cocktails at an event center located at the top of a 140’-tall former grain elevator turned boutique hotel? Can you envision the sweeping exterior views of both area agricultural fields and the Des Moines skyline? This is the vision outlined in the Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
The City of Bondurant is excited to announce the adoption of its Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan, a transformative initiative aimed at revitalizing the 25-acre former Landus Cooperative site as a cohesive extension of the downtown. This plan, identified as a need in the 2022 Building Bondurant Comprehensive Plan, is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of Bondurant and The 101, LLC, developer of the Grain District Downtown Redevelopment area. Several public improvement projects are identified in this guiding document as a phased approach that have the potential to attract over $100 million in private investment.
Key public improvement projects outlined in the plan include:
- Extension of the Chichaqua Valley Trail through the Grain District
- Establishment of an arboretum along the trail extension
- Realignment and extension of Lincoln Street NE and other public street areas
- Construction of a public gathering space towards the eastern portion of the district
- Implementation of public art and creative placemaking initiatives
- Repurposing of the soon-to-be former Bondurant Emergency Services Facility as a Parks & Recreation Center, available for programming and community use
- Additional public parking
In addition to the key public improvement projects, the plan identifies innovative private redevelopment opportunities, including the idea of adaptively reusing two groupings of grain elevators as a multi-functional space that could serve as a boutique hotel, event center, and condominium development. According to Scott Turczynski, Managing Partner of The 101, LLC, “While transforming the massive elevators into a one-of-a-kind space is a long-term dream of mine, I am beyond excited to hit the ground running on implementing some short-term projects, including continuing to identify businesses looking to locate within the Grain District”. One of the first projects Turczynski will be starting on in the Grain District is his distillery. “At first the distillery will be a production facility with a small tasting room available for private tastings and meetings. The end goal is to grow the distillery business into a larger production area with a restaurant, event space, and speakeasy”.
The Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan represents a significant milestone in the City's ongoing efforts to promote economic development. The City of Bondurant recently reached a milestone, breaching the $1 billion valuation mark. Mayor Doug Elrod notes, “Bondurant has numerous exciting projects on the horizon that will further enhance our community's growth and vitality and the projects outlined in the Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan are foundational to the City’s efforts to expand and promote our vibrant downtown.”
The Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan has garnered widespread community support. Representative Brian Lohse recognizes that “The trail connection and new street corridors will improve accessibility and connectivity, making the area more appealing for pedestrians and cyclists.” In referencing other key elements of the plan, Representative Lohse states, “These iconic features will not only serve as points of interest but will also attract attention and generate interest from potential investors and developers.”
For more information about the Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Plan and upcoming public improvement projects, please visit the City of Bondurant's official website at https://www.cityofbondurant.com/.
About the City of Bondurant: The City of Bondurant collaborates with citizens and community partners to deliver exemplary public services, diverse recreation activities, and opportunities to participate in shaping a vibrant, welcoming hometown. The City of Bondurant has been honored as an Iowa Great Place and has sustained that designation.